Description: Takes place a few years after Pacey and Joey's break up.

Author's note: If you review, I will update.

Disclaimer: I don't own the show or characters, just the original storyline.

Heart aches Revisited

Chapter #3

(Pacey's pov)

" You know what Pace, if it will make everyone else happy then fine. Could you please get out while I change though?", asks Joey while pointing toward the door. With a simple nod of my head, I walk out of the room. It's not long before Joey comes out dressed in my old jersey and a pair of boxers. She looks more beautiful then I remembered. Following her downstairs, we make our way outside and sit on the docks. Not knowing what to say, I merely sit down beside Joey in silence. God, I miss everything about Potter. What the hell was I thinking when I let her go? At the time I knew it was a mistake but I just could not stop myself from breaking her heart. What I wouldn't give to be able to take back every single hurtful word I spoke to Jo that night.

" Jo, I am really sorry about how things ended between us. You didn't deserve any of the hurtful things I said. It was never my intention to lash out at you the way I did. When I saw you dancing with Dawson and smiling though…I hated that he made you happy that night and I couldn't and every doubt and insecurity I had just came bubbling to the surface.", I explain in a hesitant manner. Glancing over at Joey, I can't help noticing the hurt that lies behind her eyes. Guess I must have struck a nerve. This was never my intention. I have just been wanting to apologize to Potter for so long now. I know that she has moved on and is happy now. I'm alright with this. I just…I wish things could have been different for the two of us. If I hadn't screwed up who knows, we might still be together now. There hasn't been many girls since Joey. Sure there was Emily, but I never really loved her, not the way I loved Potter at least. Joey was my first love, no body will replace her.

" Pace, I appreciate your sincerity but could we not dredge up the past please?", pleas Joey in a soft voice. With a nod of my head, I stare out across the creek. The last thing I want to do is reopen old wounds but I needed to tell Jo how truly sorry I was for hurting her the way that I did. Nothing I say can change the way things are between Joey and I. I know this. But that doesn't mean that we couldn't try to be friends again, does it? Joey was once a big part of my life, the last thing I want is to be nothing to her. If she is willing, I would like to attempt to rebuild our broken friendship.

" Sure thing Potter. ...Jen mentioned that you were hoping to see me at the Leery's party?", I inquire after a minute or so of silence. This seems to catch Joey's attention as she glances over at me. Something tells me this is not the case. Ugh, sometimes I can not believe Jen. Why does she always insist on putting her nose where it doesn't belong? The girl is always meddling around in everyone else's business. Did she really think that lying to me would somehow get Jo and I to settle our differences? Where does she even come up with these crazy schemes? The girl is persistent that much is clear. She has not stopped trying to get Jo and I to work things out since we broke up.

Shaking her head with a laugh, Joey offers an amused smile," It's funny you say that because ironically Jack told me the exact same thing."

Letting out a chuckle of my own, I toss a few rocks across the creek," Those two never stop do they? Jack was right about one thing. I actually was hoping to run into you Jo. I just...miss you. Hell to be honest, I miss us. But there hasn't been an us in a long time and I know there probably never will be."

" Look...I miss you too Pace...but you wrecked my heart.", reminds Joey in a quiet manner. She misses me? This is unexpected. Who would have thought? I know that I hurt Jo, but it was a horrible mistake. One I wish I could take back. If she misses me does that mean Joey still loves me? I know that I never once stopped loving her, not even for a second. I am not sure what her reasoning for ending things with that Charlie guy was. My only guess is that Potter must have freaked out when she saw the engagement ring. Seems like Charlie was hoping to propose to her on Christmas and Joey just did not want that to happen. Can't say that I blame the guy for wanting to make sure he had Jo all to himself. Guess marriage was not on Joey's radar in the near future though.

" I know that I did Joey. It is one thing I have come to regret the most if we're being honest.", I confide with a disheartened sigh. Taking a risk, I glance over at Joey. Saddened when I notice tears threatening to fall from her eyes, I pull Joey into my arms. Thankfully she doesn't put up a fight when I do. Relieved when Joey nuzzles her face into my chest, I hold her as she cries. Not sure if she is upset because of me or her failed relationship. My guess would be it is from a little bit of both. What I wouldn't give to be able to make her pain go away. It is killing me to see Joey like this and know there is nothing I can do except hold her.

" Hey Pacey? You think maybe I could sleep in my bed tonight?", asks Joey with an exhausted look in her eyes. She wants to sleep in her bed? That is where I am staying though. Not knowing what else to say, I only give a mere nod of my head. Where does that leave me though? I'm not about to sleep in Alexander's room. Suppose that I will be taking Potter's sleeping bag on the floor beside her bed. At least I have the chance to hold her even if only for a while. It feels so right having Joey in my arms, she fits against me like a missing puzzle piece.

" Of course Jo, I'll just camp on the floor beside your bed in a sleeping bag.", I offer with a smile and a kiss to her forehead. This seems to comfort Joey a great deal. Startled when she hugs my chest tightly, I hold her close. This just feels so amazing and right. What the hell was I thinking letting Joey go the way I did? If I hadn't screwed up, I could hold her like this whenever I wanted to. Why do I have to be such an asshole at times? Joey might need me right now, but I know that it won't last. She'll wake up in the morning and want nothing to do with me again. If I thought for a second there was a chance Potter might take me back, I would do whatever it took to keep her.

Biting down on her bottom lip, Joey peeks up at me with a sleepy smile," No Witter, you don't have to do that. We could share my bed."

Unsure what to think or even say, I only give a slight nod of my head," If that's what you want Potter."

" Tell you the truth Pacey, I just want to be held...even if it has to be by you.", adds Joey with a playful smirk. Alright, ouch. Good to see Jo still has her sense of humor to her at least. This is great, who would have thought the two of us could get along so nicely. Maybe by the Christmas party Jo and I won't have to pretend to get along. With hopes maybe we could even be friends again. Talking with Jo is what I miss the most. The way we used to bicker and argue, that is what I miss the most about our friendship. That love hate banter was the highlight of my day before Potter and I started dating.

" I'm alright with that so long as you are smiling Joey.", I admit with a grin of my own. This girl knows how to turn me into a bumbling idiot in mere seconds. Then again it never took much with Joey. I had it bad for Potter for a while before I ever made a move on her. Hell I remember making up excuses just to be around her. When you are in love with someone proximity is usually a good thing regardless of how they do or don't feel about you. Any reason that I could think of to be around Joey, I was. This girl had me bending over backwards trying to get her to notice me. No one had ever made me feel the way Potter did.

" Hey Pace...do you think we could do that thing that we used to do?", questions Joey with a shy smile. Without so much as another word, I know exactly what she is talking about. Back when we had first started dating and we were sailing on True Love, Joey and I would spend each night reading books to one another until we fell asleep. It became almost a nightly ritual after a while. We have not done this in a long time, it is something I miss though. If Potter wants to take turns reading until we both fall asleep that is fine with me. Maybe there is hope for us as friends after all. At least Jo doesn't hate my guts anymore.

" Sure Jo, we could definitely do that.", I agree while taking her hand in mine. Standing up carefully, I can't help but grin happily when Joey wraps my arms around her. Following her inside once more, I allow Joey to lead me upstairs. Thankfully Bess is already in her room for the night. Had she seen the two of us walk in like this, she probably would have hurled a million questions at Potter and I. Truth is, I don't know what is going on with the two of us right now, and I don't care either. I just love that we are finally getting along again. Being able to have Joey in my arms? Well, that is just a bonus. …